It is clear that e-cigarettes containing nicotine that is derived from tobacco should be regulated as tobacco products under the Tobacco Control Act. The big question is whether the FDA will impose unreasonable barriers to companies that seek new product approvals for e-cigarettes.

This report by UK’s Royal College of Physicians is a strong endorsement of tobacco harm reduction, including the use of e-cigarettes to reduce smokers’ exposure to toxic chemicals inhaled from traditional combustible cigarettes. The UK is a leader in tobacco harm reduction and the US public health establishment can learn much from this example.

This action makes good sense, and is a worthwhile attempt to level the playing field between deadly combustible cigarettes, which are already widely available, and e-cigarettes, which face an uphill battle in the marketplace. The FDA will still be able …